Siesta Key
Lido Key
Clearwater Beach
When you’re searching for things to do in Sarasota on your next trip to the Sunshine State, consider making your home base in nearby Siesta Key. Staying in one of our Siesta Key luxury rentals allows you to easily get to the mainland in just a matter of minutes, all while resting assured that you have a luxurious and welcoming place to return to in the evenings.
Siesta Key and Sarasota offer a little something for all visitors to enjoy, but no matter what your interests are, we recommend that you spend a day exploring the MOTE Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.
About MOTE Marine Lab
MOTE is so much more than your typical aquarium. Here, you won’t only see breathtaking marine life, but you’ll also get the chance to learn about the research and conservation efforts that the aquarium undertakes. In total, the team here runs over 20 unique marine research programs, aiming to protect the local habitats for the marine creatures who called this area home.
Aquarium Exhibits & Visitor Information
The team here at MOTE maintains dozens of exhibits for you and your group to enjoy. Get up close and personal with sharks, otters, manatees, sea turtles, and more. You can also find exhibits dedicated to specific regions such as the Florida watershed, Florida’s Bay habitats, and Florida’s rivers.
Be sure to purchase your tickets online in advance before visiting the aquarium at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota. The aquarium is open every day of the year from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Immersive Experiences
When you visit MOTE Marine Aquarium, you’ll do much more than look at exhibits. There are several incredible immersive experiences for you to participate in.
The Choose Your Adventure program allows you to completely customize your experience throughout the aquarium. Groups of two to six people can participate. You may start your morning with a private tour taking you through the typical morning routine at the aquarium, or you might want to take a peek at the sea turtle research center to get a behind-the-scenes look. It’s all up to you!
What better way to begin your day than Breakfast with the Sharks? This fantastic program is open to all ages and typically occurs one Saturday per month. During your breakfast, you’ll have access to the aquarium before the public can get in, dining on some delicious food and learning all about the incredible sharks that call this area home. You’ll even get to meet the sharks at the aquarium and learn more about the shark research happening in the lab.
Finally, MOTE offers fun family programs perfect for guests of all ages. These interactive programs allow you to spend time with your loved ones while having fun and learning about marine life simultaneously. Programs can change throughout the year, but lately, guests enjoy programs such as Dip Netting in the Bay, Seashore SEAfari, and Seas the Summer Field Explorations.
Mote SEA – Upcoming Developments
MOTE Marine is dedicated to ensuring its facilities are always of the highest quality, which is why the upcoming developments are so exciting! Recently, MOTE Marine announced its plans to construct Mote SEA, a new facility to be located at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota. The project is estimated to cost upwards of $130 million, $20 of which was provided by the Sarasota County Commission. Additional funding has come from the increased bed tax, proving the positive impact that tourism has had on the area.
The new aquarium will cover four stories and 110,000 square feet, providing a huge environment for learning and research. In fact, science education is the basis of this aquarium. It’s right there in the name: Mote Science Education Aquarium, or Mote SEA. When the facility opens, it will be a mainstay of the community, offering enhanced marine education to children from around the area and families across the country. Keep your eyes peeled for more information!
Plan Your Siesta Key Vacation
No matter what brings you to the Siesta Key area, you can rest assured that Vunique Vacations will keep you in good hands. Contact us today to find the best Siesta Key luxury rentals!
Your Siesta Key Rental
There’s so much to do and see in Siesta Key, and MOTE Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is just one attraction that should be on your list. Once you’ve spent the day exploring all the other fun attractions, shops, and restaurants throughout Sarasota, head back to one of our Siesta Key vacation rentals to unwind for the rest of the night.
Vunique Vacations is proud to be your premier resource for Siesta Key luxury rentals, allowing you to make your perfect home away from home on your vacation. Our impressive properties can accommodate up to 20 guests and are available for weeks at a time, so you can truly settle down and feel like a local. You’ll enjoy luxurious amenities and features like cameras and noise monitoring systems, private backyard oases, complimentary Wi-Fi, and much more.
In addition, you can rest assured that our team will always be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have. We aim to ensure that our service is just as unparalleled as the quality of our homes themselves.
